Realm of Knights by Jennifer Anne Davis - Review

Realm of Knights

by Jennifer Anne Davis

Series: Realm of Knights #1

Release date: September 10, 2019

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Author: Jennifer Anne Davis

Publication Date:  10 September 2019

Publisher: Reign Publishing

Series:  Realm of Knights, Book 1

Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 14 and Up

Rating: 3.5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description: 

Reid has spent her whole life pretending to be a man so she can inherit her father’s estate, but when a chance encounter threatens to expose her lie, she is forced to risk everything.

In the kingdom of Marsden, women are subservient to men and land can only pass from father to son. So when Reid Ellington is born, the fifth daughter to one of the wealthiest landholders in the kingdom, it’s announced that Reid is a boy.

Eighteen years later, Reid struggles to conceal the fact she’s actually a young woman. Every day, her secret becomes harder to keep. When one of Marsden’s princes sees her sparring with a sword, she is forced to accept his offer and lead her father’s soldiers to the border. Along the way, she discovers a covert organization within the army known as the Knights of the Realm. If Reid wants to save her family from being arrested for treason and robbed of their inheritance, she will have to join the Knights and become a weapon for the crown.

To protect her family, Reid must fight like a man. To do that, she’ll need the courage of a woman.

My Review:

I have to say that my initial interest in this book stemmed from a bout of cover love and then I read the description and my excitement ratcheted up a notch into full on ready to fan-girl mode. So I know your burning question is did this book stand up to my excitement for it?  Well, yes and no and here's why.   

First let's start with the positive.  I love the premise of this book.  The idea of this girl living the life of a boy and then being unceremoniously thrown into a world of intrigue and war as a woman!  Having to manage herself in a world she belongs to but in a way that she is wholly unfamiliar with gives some awesome Mulan vibes, but that is where the connection ends, don't go in thinking this is a Mulan retelling.  

The book is a true page turner.  It kept me totally invested the entire time and is fast paced, (which is also a negative that we will talk about later) I was able to read the book in a few hours and other then being done with it and needing to know what happens next, I loved that aspect.  I love a fast paced, entertaining book and this definitely fills the bill.  There is romantic tension, intrigue, action, introspection....it has so many great points.

The characters, there are both positives and negatives here.  Reid, is a great character, I loved her ability to set aside her fears when she needs to protect the ones that she loves.  I found her to be a truly strong female lead, though there are a few times that she wavers and I feel like we lose her, but I have to say I think there are two reasons for that, one goes back to my early comment about it being a quick read.  I think the author simply ran out of time for Reid's character to fully develop.  This book could have very easily been a 400+ page book instead of the under 300 that we got and a lot of the reason it is shorter is lack of character development.  I wish we had more time to watch her grow and truly come into herself.  Reid has the ability to be one of the strongest female YA characters out there but she needs to be given the 'pages' to do that.  The same can be said about Ackley and Gordon as well.  I loved these two characters, but I don't truly know who they are and I want to know them, there is so much just simmering under the surface of this book I just need the author to delve deeper and pull it out for us.  There are even some great secondary characters that it would be awesome to end up with spin-offs, just gonna put that out there now, haha.  

So I gave you a little bit of the negative above, but honestly that is the one negative that plays through out the story, not enough development.  It affects the characters, the world building, the pacing of the story, the intrigue....everything just happens too fast without enough time to let it simmer and come through fully formed.  That doesn't make me not want to read the next book, it is on my must read list.  In the end the premise of this story is just too intriguing, what we did get in this book, even with the lack of development is compelling.  I want to see relationships develop, I want answers to the intrigues, I want to see changes come to the world that Reid lives in.  What I hope for is that the author, who really shouldn't read these reviews will get wind of a lot of the reviewers thoughts (you will see that a lot of us agree on the development and pacing issues) and take that to heart when writing book 2.  There is amazing potential here and I just want it all!  

This is a good book to pick up, it has so much going for it and I hope even with my (or other reviewers) negatives you will still give it a chance because there is so much possibility here and it could truly be an amazing YA Fantasy!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

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About the Author

Jennifer Anne Davis graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She is currently a full-time writer and mother of three kids, one weimaraner, and a tortoise. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart and lives in the San Diego area.

Jennifer is the recipient of the San Diego Book Awards Best Published Young Adult Novel (2013), winner of the Kindle Book Awards (2018), a finalist in the USA Best Book Awards (2014), and a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (2014).

Publishers Marketplace listed Jennifer as one of the best-selling indie authors in June 2017. She has also been ranked among the top 100 best-selling authors on Amazon.

The True Reign and Reign of Secrets series have sold over half a million copies.

Click HERE for the Publishers Marketplace article.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

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From Flame and Ash by Carrie Ann Ryan - Cover Reveal

I am so excited to help reveal the cover of the second book in Carrie Ann Ryan's YA fantasy series! 

FROM FLAME AND ASH releases November 19th, but you can see the cover below and preorder your copy now!

 

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Book Description:

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

 

About the ELEMENTS OF FIVE series

One thousand years ago, there was one realm of magic. The Maison Realm. It held five kingdoms with five kings or queens, who worked together to keep the Maison people safe and ensure the balance of magic. Over the last five hundred years following the Fall, the great war that began the fracture, many of the kingdoms’ inhabitants intermated, and the magics soon became tied to one another in pairs. Except for the Spirit Wielders.  The two remaining kingdoms are now converging, and the veil between the two is fading. Only the human realm lies between the two, and no one there knows there is a war surrounding them.

Over time, certain children of the Fall began to leave their respective kingdoms to venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together. For the realms are dying without their sister magics. And soon, there will be no more power left to rule the kingdoms, for there will be no more kingdoms left to rule.

Missed the first book the Elements of Five series? FROM BREATH AND RUIN is available now!

 

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ AmazonPB

Book Description:

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

About Carrie Ann Ryan:

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ 

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From Breath and Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan - PreOrder and Teaser!

 

FROM BREATH & RUIN by Carrie Ann Ryan is coming March 19th! 

Are you ready for an amazing new YA fantasy series?

 Find out more below and preorder your copy today! 

   

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ AppleBooks  ~ Barnes&Noble  ~ Kobo ~ GooglePlay ~ AmazonPB

Audio (Read by Bailey Carr):

Audible ~ Amazon ~Barnes&Noble  ~ Kobo  ~ Downpour ~ iTunes Coming Soon

Book Description:

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

Preorder your copy of FROM BREATH AND RUIN Today!

 

About Carrie Ann Ryan

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Website ~ Twitter ~ 

Facebook ~ Newsletter ~ 

Instagram ~ Tumblr ~ Pinterest

From Breath and Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan - Pre-Order Alert!

 

FROM BREATH & RUIN by Carrie Ann Ryan is coming March 19th! Are you ready for an amazing new YA fantasy series? 

Find out more below and preorder your copy today! 

   

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ AppleBooks ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ GooglePlay ~ AmazonPB 

Audio (Read by Bailey Carr):

Audible ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ Downpour ~ iTunes Coming Soon

Book Description:

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

Preorder your copy of FROM BREATH AND RUIN now!

 

About the ELEMENTS OF FIVE series:

One thousand years ago, there was one realm of magic. The Maison Realm. It held five kingdoms with five kings or queens, who worked together to keep the Maison people safe and ensure the balance of magic. Over the last five hundred years following the Fall, the great war that began the fracture, many of the kingdoms’ inhabitants intermated, and the magics soon became tied to one another in pairs. Except for the Spirit Wielders.  The two remaining kingdoms are now converging, and the veil between the two is fading. Only the human realm lies between the two, and no one there knows there is a war surrounding them.

Over time, certain children of the Fall began to leave their respective kingdoms to venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together. For the realms are dying without their sister magics. And soon, there will be no more power left to rule the kingdoms, for there will be no more kingdoms left to rule.

   

About Carrie Ann Ryan:

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ 

Newsletter ~ Instagram ~ Tumblr ~ Pinterest

Surprise Announcement from Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Carrie Ann Ryan is finally revealing the details of her secret series – it’s a YA fantasy series, Elements of Five! 

The first book, FROM BREATH AND RUIN, releases March 19^th, 2019!

 See the STUNNING cover and find out more below!

 

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ iBooks ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ GooglePlay ~ AmazonPB ~ Audible ~ Downpour 

Book Description:

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

Preorder your copy of FROM BREATH AND RUIN now!

 

About the ELEMENTS OF FIVE series

One thousand years ago, there was one realm of magic. The Maison Realm. It held five kingdoms with five kings or queens, who worked together to keep the Maison people safe and ensure the balance of magic. Over the last five hundred years following the Fall, the great war that began the fracture, many of the kingdoms’ inhabitants intermated, and the magics soon became tied to one another in pairs. Except for the Spirit Wielders.  The two remaining kingdoms are now converging, and the veil between the two is fading. Only the human realm lies between the two, and no one there knows there is a war surrounding them.

Over time, certain children of the Fall began to leave their respective kingdoms to venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together. For the realms are dying without their sister magics. And soon, there will be no more power left to rule the kingdoms, for there will be no more kingdoms left to rule.

 

From Carrie Ann Ryan

 

I finally get to announce the Secret Project I’ve been talking about for months! It’s a YA FANTASY SERIES! I’ve been wanting to write this series for years and I finally get to share it! I’ll be writing my adult romances on the same schedule and will be fitting my YA in. I hope you join me on this journey!

If you want to join my YA Page and Newsletter, the links are below. If you’re already part of my full newsletter and FB page, you’re good to go as well!

YA Page ~ Carrie Ann Ryan Page 

YA Newsletter ~ Carrie Ann Ryan Full Newsletter

 

About Carrie Ann Ryan:

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ 

Newsletter ~ Instagram ~ Tumblr ~ Pinterest

The Jack by M.K. Harkins - Review and GiveAway

Today we have the blog tour of THE JACK by MK Harkins! 

Check out the tour and be sure to grab your copy today!

 

GoodReads ~ Amazon 

Author: M.K. Harkins

Publication Date:  20 August, 2018

Publisher: Self-Published

Series:  The Immortal Series, book 2

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Age Recommendation: 14 and Up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

What matters more to Archer: saving the woman he loves but can never have, protecting humanity, or avoiding a prison sentence that would stretch for eternity?   Archer is a half breed, caught between two opposing heritages - the Jacks, a bloodthirsty race who kills for sport, and the Readers, a docile race trying to save humankind. Two years ago, he betrayed the Readers, though, in a last-minute change of heart, saved them from ultimate destruction. But now he’s all alone, wallowing in unrequited love.   Sadie is an Immortal Seer with a dangerous calling: she must hunt down and destroy the last of the vengeful Jacks. But her quirky humor and gentle spirit make her an unlikely fit for the job.   Archer is drawn to Sadie’s pure, kindhearted nature, rekindling hope he might not have to live a solitary life, but he has no idea the danger he’s in.   When fate forces the mortal enemies to work together, Sadie must determine which side Archer is on, how much of his charm is real, and if she should follow through with her directive: should she kill him or save him?  

My Review:

As soon as this book came on my radar I knew that I had to read it.  Having not read the first book, The Reader, I immediately went and one-clicked it, tore through it, and then sat in anxious anticipation for The Jack to release!

I knew this one was going to have me gripping the pages because I fell hard and fast for Archer in the first book and wow the way things went out in The Reader I wasn't quite sure where his story was going to go, although I knew he would be redeemed I was totally unsure of how M.K. Harkins would do it. Archer is really a great character, he's been a bit maligned all his life. Always a little on the outskirts, never sure of his place even though most of the people around him had no idea that he didn't truly fit in until it was 'too late'.  A father who felt ashamed of his son's linage and often times took that shame out on Archer in their interactions.  He's the 'boy' who looses it all, the one who's been living a lie and now has to prove he is more than just what people think he is because of his heritage and past.

Sadie is another great character, the only thing more I could have wanted from her was more back story.  These characters have been around for thousands of years, there is a world of history in each of them and more particularly with Sadie because she has lived in the world wide 'community' and she's done it all on her own.  She hasn't had a group of like-minded people or a place that is protected from the outside like the Readers and even the Jack's have had.  I want to read one of her history books and just really get to know her on a deeper level.  It's hard at times because these characters have been around for so long yet they are still seemingly (at least in looks) kids so when they get in their groups, especially with the Readers, I have difficulties seeing them in positions of power, I can never quite place what their actual role in the community is, but with Sadie she was a free agent so to speak so she comes across as older and more mature even though they are all around the same age.  I loved her giving heart and her desire to see the good in every one, though it does get her in trouble a time or two.  I loved her connection with Archer and that while they fight it a little they always know deep down who they are to one another and when they finally accept it, well that's it.  I am a huge fan of non-angsty romance so this was a great read for me.  Yes there is a bit of a love triangle but you realize early on that it won't play a major role in the overall storyline.

 One of the things I really loved about this story was the suspense, the who-dun-it feel.  I had so many theories running wild and every time I was sure it was one person I changed to another.  So that means I wasn't totally surprised by the outcome in the end but boy did I enjoy the trail to getting there. I loved that friendships were rebuilt and that faith wasn't totally lost.  

This is really a book about Archer's redemption and finding friendship and love when you are willing to truly open yourself up to it regardless of your fears. I am incredibly anxious to get ahold of the next book, there has to be one right?  Because I want to know what happens with our dear sweet fiery-tempred redheaded Lucy and a new character we meet in The Jacks.  We know it's not over by the way things ended, or at least I hope that it isn't, also I am gonna be needing some little baby Archers, haha.

So great this one up, it can be read as a Standalone but I think you will be in a better position if you know the full back story of Archer and have met a few of the characters before.  This is a great read for the mid ya aged teens, 13 to 14 year olds as the romance isn't the main focus nor does it get too intense.  These are pretty quick reads that will grab your attention and keep it so go on ahead and dive in and enjoy!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Catch Up on the Series

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Enter MK’s Giveaway:

(50 Dollar Amazon Gift Card)

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About MK Harkins:

MK has always been a voracious reader. After hitting a dry spell of reading material, she decided to write the kind of book she'd like to read. This resulted in the creation of her debut novel, Intentional. (Award for Best Sweet Romance - eFestival of Words- August 2014) Unintentional, the second book in the series, is based on the life of one of the characters in Intentional (Cade - an engineer/rock star). Unintentional was written as a stand-alone book. Breaking Braydon, another stand-alone book, is now available on Amazon. Taking Tiffany (A spin-off) is available now. MK is currently working on a paranormal romance - The Reader. Due out 2016. When she's not writing novels, she likes to spend her free time traveling the world, splashing in mud puddles (She lives in Seattle, what can she say?), watching movies and reading (!)

Connect with MK:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Youtube

 

Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson - Review

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Author: Mary E.Pearson

Publication Date:  7 August, 2018

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co

Series:  Dance of Thieves, book 1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 14 and Up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

A new novel in the New York Times–bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty's resentment and anger.

At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.

My Review:

So here goes the moment that I admit something terrible, I haven't read the series that this is a spin-off of.  It's on my TBR, been on my TBR for ages, but it just keeps getting pushed aside.  Why is this important?  Two reasons:

First and foremost I think is that in my opinion though this is a spin-off and you should be able to read it as a standalone separate series, I was missing a lot of background.  There is an entire world that was built in those first three books and not a whole lot of explanation going into this ew series to make it understandable. I really felt like I had missed some important information that would have made this ultimately a five star read for me.  Now the question is of course, who's fault is that?  Is it mine for not having read that first series, or is it the authors for making a spin-off that is SO closely tied to the original series that it's less a spin off and more fourth book in the same series?  Yes, the main characters are different, but characters from that first series have quite a role in this book as well as just the world in general.  I think perhaps a prologue giving us a little history would have been the perfect way to bring new readers into this world.  Also, and I don't know for sure that it would have made a difference in my enjoyment of the book because I am uncertain if having read the first series would have made it more understandable, but I was confused for the longest time on the header quotes at the beginning of each chapter.  Yes, it does eventually get explained but not until well over half way into the book.  Having that prologue with some background might have also alleviated that confusion on my part.  

Second, I will be going back and finally getting those first three books from the Remnant Chronicles off my shelves and dusted.  I am completely enthralled with this world and need to know everything there is about it.  It is clear that the world building that occurred in those first three stories must have been magical if what Mary E. Person gave me in this book is any indication.  This is one of those stories that you want to see come alive on the big screen because it's depth and richness hold a beauty that goes beyond the imagination.  I can feel the dirty, the ugly, the beauty, the majestic, the wealth, and the poverty dripping off the pages and want to rich out and feel it. It's all right there in my grasp, I just need someone to make it come alive.  It reminded me of almost a tribal version of Leigh Bardugo's Ketterdamn and Rave and if you know me at all you know how much of a fan I am of the Grishaverse, this book brought me back to that feeling so reading those first three books is a must for me now. 

What did I absolutely love about this book besides the world building, (which was a little love/hate) the characters.  I adored the Ballenger's for their faith, tenacity, loyalty, and family ties.  I love that in the end everything they do is about protecting those they love and those they serve.  Does that mean they always make the right choices, no, as you will see in this story, but in everything they do they do it with good faith and with the belief and desire to protect those in their care.  Jase Ballenger, is the perfect YA Fantasy hero.  Is he good, is he bad, is he a little of both? He's handsomely rugged, devoted to his family and role as leader (Patrei), he's a young man thrust into an almost impossible situation but determined to continue his families legacy.  

Kazi, she's an amazing heroine.  She's fierce and independent.  She's bold, daring, beautiful, courageous, righteous in her goals, (not always a good thing) determined, compassionate, caring, and though she won't admit it a little bit broken and lost.  It makes for a heroine that you will absolutely adore and want to cosplay as soon as you can, lol.  She's the girl who takes back her life the only way she can and she makes a meaningful life for herself and though that others by using her abilities to protect and care for them.  She and Jase are so much alike that it leads them through ore than a few difficulties but it makes them even more wonderful as a team.  I loved these two together.  They are just a sweet young couple, both trying to find their way in the world and make their own mark while protecting those in their care.  I loved how quiet they were when they were together, when the outside world wasn't barging in-between them.  How peaceful and loving they can be.  Sadly Mary E. Pearson couldn't just give us that could she, no there has to be suspicion, intrigue, lies, truths, and a whole lot of chemistry thrown in that just makes you swoon and fall for these characters hard. 

All the characters were amazing, the evil ones either smarmy and inept or conniving and nefarious.  You won't love to hate these characters, you'll just hate them and I love a good villain that is simply a villain, one you know is just plain awful and deserves everything they have coming to them.  The other secondary characters, the family of Ballengers, the other Rahtan that are members of Kazi's team, I loved them all.  They are all well written with character descriptions that don't leave them in the shadows, but as true players within the story.  Though Kazi and Jase are the main characters the others play a vital role in almost every aspect of this story.  I am hopeful that with the end of this first book and the way it ended we won't be missing out on seeing more of each of those charters in the future. Clearly we will get more Ballengers, but I don't want to lose out on the rest of the Rahtan either, they were all wonderful members of the story and I need more of them.

If you are a fan of the Remnant Chronicles than I think it is easy for me to say that Dance of Thieves is a must read for you.  You will throughly enjoy this book!  If you have never read the first series, you can pick up this one and dive in but, as I mentioned earlier there is a lot of backstory about the world that you will be missing out on and I highly suggest reading those previous books first, just to make your enjoyment of this book and series all the better.  Also, why do I note 14 as the starting age on this one (remember this is all subjective) it is simply due to a little bit of "Did they do it" talk.  If you've had 'the talk' with your younger readers than I think this would be great for an even younger pre-teen, but if not just know it's in there and comes up a few times.

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Mary E. Pearson is the NYT bestselling and award-winning author of eleven YA novels and one novella. Her works include the completed trilogy, The Remnant Chronicles, which in a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly called “masterfully crafted.” Her favorite activities as a child were climbing tall trees imagining she was a hero in some fantastical world, or running along fence tops and roofs pretending she was a spy with a bagful of amazing gadgets. She was rarely herself. Amazingly, she never broke a bone until she caught a basketball in gym class. Catching real balls was not her forte. These days she continues to live in make-believe worlds she creates in her books. Her latest 2-book series, Dance of Thieves, allows her do all kinds of dangerous things without breaking any bones. So far. 

You can learn more about Mary and her books at:

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Kiss Collector by Wendy Higgins - Cover Reveal

I am excited to help share a special Valentine's Day cover reveal!  

Wendy Higgin's Kiss Collector from Harper Teen, a YA Contemporary Romace that will release December 2018!  

Check it out below, I love it!  

GoodReads ~ Pre-order links coming 

Book Description:

When seventeen-year-old Zae Monroe gets cheated on by the only guy she’s ever loved, then watches her parents' marriage crumble, she decides to forget about relationships and turn the tables on the boys of the world. It’s time to take what she wants, and what she wants are kisses. Athletes, musicians, poets, and bad boys—their lips are all on her agenda, and it's time to collect.

Zae proposes a contest with her friends to see who can kiss the most boys during spring break. But what starts as a harmless competition leads to a downward spiral she can’t seem to break free of. As family, academic, friend, and guy drama come to a head, Zae is forced to face the reasons behind her boy angst, and starts to wonder if she was wrong about the male race...or at least some of them.

GiveAway:

(KISS COLLECTOR ARC with Bookmark and Mint Tin! (US only))

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Wendy Higgins is the USA Today and NY Times bestselling author of the SWEET EVIL series from HarperTeen, the high fantasy duology THE GREAT HUNT, her independently published Irish Fantasy SEE ME, and her indie NA science fiction UNKNOWN trilogy.
After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until achieving her dream job as a full-time writer.
Wendy lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her husband, daughter, son, and little doggies Rue & Nessie.

Website ~ GoodReads ~ 

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Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia - Release Day and Giveaway

 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, comes BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS—a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again! Don’t miss this stunning new title from Kami Garcia!

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS is now available at all fine retailers. 

Order your copy today!

   

Order BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS here!

Book Description:

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Kami Garcia comes a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again.

Her heart has to break before it can open.

When star soccer player Peyton Rios receives an offer from her first-choice college, senior year starts off exactly as planned. But when Peyton uncovers her boyfriend’s dark secret, she confronts him—and finds herself falling down a flight of stairs. Peyton’s knee—and maybe her dream of going pro—is shattered. Everyone is talking: Was she pushed, or did she fall? Peyton knows the truth, even if no one believes her.

He has to let someone in before it’s too late.

With her future on the line, Peyton goes to stay with her uncle in a small Tennessee town to focus on her recovery. Dating is the last thing on her mind—until she meets sweet, sexy Owen Law.

But Peyton doesn’t trust her heart, especially when she senses that Owen is hiding something. When their secrets are finally exposed, Peyton has to decide if love is worth fighting for.

   

EXCERPT:

April narrows her eyes. “I’d be careful if I were you.” “Or what? You’ll throw lip gloss at me?” I almost laugh. I’m done here.

Grace stifles a smile as I pass her on my way out, and I stop. This girl deserves a break. “By the way, your friend, and I use that term loosely”— I gesture at April—“didn’t dump Christian. He dumped her. She was whining about it before you walked in.”

“You bi—” April shouts at me as the door closes.

That was fun.

Sticking up for Grace cheered me up a little.

The stadium has emptied out for the most part, and the sight of the green field makes me feel like running. As a striker, it was my job to move the ball down the soccer field and score goals. The team relied on my speed.

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t play soccer. Dad spent hours dribbling alongside me—him with a standard soccer ball and me with a toddler-sized version. He stood in front of a flimsy net we’d made out of PVC pipes, and played goalkeeper for hours so I could practice my corner shots. I lose myself in the memories.

“Hey! Watch—”

I look up in time to see a guy’s broad chest before I walk right into him. My knee gives out, but he catches my arm.

“Nice save,” he says, as if I’m the one who kept him from falling instead of the other way around.

I jerk away from him. The combination of hearing Reed’s voice a few minutes ago and feeling a guy grab me from out of nowhere . . . it’s too much.

“You okay?” Brown eyes that look even darker against his pale skin.

It’s Owen, the mystery guy from the parking lot. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

Why won’t my pulse slow down?

“Yeah. I have to go.” I take off in the opposite direction, embarrassed.

I bumped into a guy and almost jumped out of my skin? This isn’t me. I’m the person who never flinches during horror movies.

The leg brace makes me feel helpless. What if a stranger had grabbed me instead of Owen? Knowing I couldn’t run or fight someone off terrifies me.

Or if someone tries to hurt me again.

Mom and Hawk are exactly where I left them. The Twins have returned from the locker room, freshly showered, and they swapped their football uniforms for jeans and T-shirts. The four of them are huddled together talking. They’re probably discussing my fragile state. They think I’m too traumatized to hang out at a stupid party. But I’m not the damaged person everyone thinks.

I refuse to be that girl.

I walk up behind the Twins and squeeze between them. “So when are we going to that party you were telling me about?”

   

“Something wonderful happened to me as I read this—I fell in love. Genuine, shattering, deep, heart-pounding love. Thank you, Kami Garcia, for Peyton and Owen. We need their story." —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe

     

HEAR IT FIRST

Order a digital or print edition of BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and be the first to hear an exclusive announcement from Kami about her next book--a secret project her publisher is keeping under wraps! Fans of Beautiful Creatures, Dangerous Creatures, and The Legion series won't want to miss this exciting news!

This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 28, 2018! You must register your preorder to receive the exclusive announcement from Kami!

https://a.pgtb.me/J61sNg

GiveAway:  

(Print copy of BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS for 2 winners)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   

Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times–bestselling and Bram Stoker–nominated author and the coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures and Dangerous Creatures novels. Her solo series, the Legion, includes the instant New York Times bestseller Unbreakable and its sequel, Unmarked. Kami is also the author of The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos and The Lovely Reckless. Kami was a teacher for seventeen years and coauthored her first novel on a dare from seven of her students. If she isn’t busy watching Supernatural, Kami can teach you how to escape from a pair of handcuffs or bake a Coca-Cola cake. Kami lives in Maryland with her family and their dogs, Spike and Oz.    

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